Azgaonkar sworn in as Minister in Rane govt

Panaji, Jan 8: Mr Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar was today sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the Pratapsinh Rane-led government in Goa at a simple ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.

Governor S C Jamir administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Azgaonakr.

A portfolio will be allotted to him shortly.

Among others present for the swearing in ceremony were Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane, his cabinet colleagues, AICC General secretary Ms Margaret Alva, MLAS and senior officials.

Mr Azgaonkar (53), who is a businessman, was the member of the third legislative assembly of Goa Congress(I) in June 1999. He was a cabinet Minister for Panchayati Raj from November 24, 2000 till February 27,2002.

He was re-elected to the Fourth Legislative Assembly in June 2002 on the BJP ticket and became minister for Panchayati Raj and Civil Supplies on June 5, 2002.

He worked to provide housing plots with basic amenities to 135 homeless SC families at Seraulim and Devorlim, rehabilitated 135 residents from Margao affected by the construction of Konkan railways, organised medical camps for slum areas, initiated self employmment schemes for OBC and schedule caste people.

UNI